A/N: Yup, you guessed it. First, I'd like to thank my reviewers: Aquatic-Idealist, Arbell Scott, and FreelancerSealBoy for reviewing chapter three.

Well, I guess I should be glad that I split the up these chapters. If I didn't, it'd end up a little less than 4,000 words. Well, if this wasn't a seperate chapter, I wouldn't have added that Geoffrey and Elincia scene. Well (I'm saying that a lot...), I guess that's the reason why I've already update this fic. I usually update my fanfics in an order (if some of you haven't noticed), but since I already knew what was going to happen in this chapter, I decided to do this one first.

Anyways...

I present to you, chapter four :D

Chapter Four

My Oath to You

"...I hope you all may find some way to forgive me..."

• • • • •

"Crimea will soon be mine!"

King Ashnard stood triumphantly with his sword raised in victory over his opponent, Crown Prince Renning. No mind in all of Crimea could have imagined this day would come; not a single man of Crimean blood would depict their Lord Renning, the finest combatant of that country, to ever fall in a battle. Yet again, no man of Daein would ever be able to foresee the defeat of their king.

Many of the soldiers were fighting with their own winning intent, thinking they may arise glorious in the end. However, each of these militants were unaware of the two impinging events that took place within the last few hours, both of which greatly impacted the outcome of this war.

"You see that? That is the defeat of the 'Great Prince Renning'," he said, his prides high and a wide smirk plastered across his face.

"Milord, he doesn't appear to be dead," commented one of his officers who was crouched down, listening to the heartbeat of the unconscious Renning.

"Yes, and there is a reason behind that."

He looked at King Ashnard with curiosity, making note of his strange and mysterious tone and attitude. "Milord," he began. "Do you have plans for him? What are your orders?"

"He is to become a test subject for that new drug that Izuka created," he explained. "I want for him to be bound and kept in our custody until we seize Castle Crimea completely."

"Yes sir!" the fighter saluted, running off to gather more of his men.

A diabolical grim stretched across his face from ear to ear, his eyes narrow with the expression of greed. He skilfully wiped the blood from his sword as he spoke to himself, "Once this battle is over, Renning will become my tool; and I know that that time is very, very close..."

• • • • •

She suddenly froze; she could feel that something was going wrong, but all she could do was hope that everyone was alright. She closed her eyes, taking the brief moment to worry for those in the battle for Crimea: her father, her mother, her uncle, the tactician, and even her sister who betrayed her. But the sound of his voice brought her down to reality.

"My princess, we must hurry and escape. You never know who may be pursuing you."

"Geoffrey..." she began, opening her eyes and turning a pleading look to him. "Geoffrey, I'm worried. I suddenly feel as if something bad has happened..."

"Elincia, do not worry," he assured. "If you-"

"I need to return."

He met her look as she voiced her abrupt interruption. As he gazed upon her, he could see the determination and worry through her eyes. Finally, he spoke.

"No, I cannot allow that."

"What? But...but why?"

"Why, you ask?" he began, using her own question for his explanation. "Well, as the attack began, I made a vow a vow to a certain commander of mine, that I would keep his niece away from harm at all costs. Lord Renning was the one who ordered me away from the battle to escort you to safety."

Geoffrey's response left Elincia quiet. As she listened, her eyes had wandered off and focused upon the cloud of smoke and dust that was the bloodshed of war. She had realized, that every time she took a step to escape, she would take a step away from the ones whom she loved; the ones who fought to keep her safe. It had now become clear to her that this was not where she wanted to go, and Geoffrey's words assured her of that.

"I must return, no matter what," she persisted to persuade. "I cannot stand here in safety without the knowledge that everyone at the castle is okay."

The knight looked at her and let out a sigh. In his head, he wondered whether it was bravery or concern that got the princess thinking in this way; but in the end, he had given in to whatever it was.

"Very well; it appears as though I have no choice," he said in defeat, receiving a smile from the stubborn Elincia. "However," he continued with a tone far more serious. "If any danger should arise, I want for you to run away and escape."

"What? No!" she instantaneously objected. "I refuse to leave your side; I refuse to abandon you in a fight, just so I may escape to safety."

"Elincia, listen to me," he said, waiting until her gaze met his before continuing. "Elincia, you are the future of Crimea. If anything were to happen to your parents or uncle, you would have the throne. Lord Renning told me those very words as he gave me his orders of protecting you. And that promise I will keep no matter what."

His words left her speechless once more. She stood there, just analyzing what he had said as she watched him look out into the far distance. The princess clasp her knight's hand with her smaller two as he looked down at her. "Geoffrey, can you make one more promise?" she asked. "I know this may sounds selfish of me, but will you vow to never leave my side?"

He stared deep into her orange eyes as she stared back at him. He though about what she had just said only seconds ago, pondering as to why she wished for him to make a promise which was so contradictory to Lord Renning's orders. But he didn't question her, but answered her instead,

"I cannot make any definite promise, but–"

"General Geoffrey of Delbray," she said in a stern voice, addressing him as her father did. "You will promise me this one thing with all assurity, without any room for doubt."

"Yes my princess," he began as he knelt before her, his head bowed and eyes closed. "I swear on my life, that I will never leave your side. This is my oath to you."

• • • • •

He slowly cracked open the door, the queen standing in anxiety close behind. As he took a quick glance inside, he hurriedly shut the door as he saw a sword draw from the figure on which lay on the ground. He turned around and said, "Queen Diana, please wait out here. There is someone within the king's chambers, and–"

"King Ramon! Is he alright? Did–"

"I can understand your anxiety," he interjected, his calm tone contrasting with that of the queen. "But please, milady, you must follow my directions; this is for your own safety."

"Oh, yes... I understand," she said, stepping away from the door to let the count through.

He casually walked inside as if he were going to fetch the king, ignoring the corpse which lay on the floor, and directly speaking to the other person there.

"My, what do we have here? A most beauteous flower indeed. But pray tell, what is the elegant Lady Lucia doing at such heights in the castle?" he asked her, speaking as if it were any ordinary day where he were trying to woo her. The only reply he received from was silence; so, he continued. "Well anyhow, it is dangerous, to say the least. You can never be sure when Daein soldiers will come out and release an ambush. Come, let the two of us–"

"I advise you leave at one, lest you would like to become my next victim," she interrupted, speaking towards the window in a low, empty tone as she quickly cleared the blood from her sword and held it straight out in front of herself.

Bastian raised his eyebrow in curiosity as he looked at her in suspicion. "What is this which you speak of?" he questioned, voicing his confusion.

She let out an aggravated sigh to herself as she lowered her blade and returned it to its scabbard. "I can't believe the finest tactician in all of Crimea is unable to figure out something so trivial as this. I suppose you don't live up to your title," she impudently remarked.

The count did not take her commentary with offense, but found it more humerus, for he was snickering to himself as she spoke. He let out a deep breath with a slight smile, closing his eyes as he shook his head. "My lady, I must apologize for any rudeness or suspicion in my words, but what is it that you are implying?"

"Many have perished by my sword in this short time, and if you do not escape quickly, you will be next." It was very clear that she had grown irritated and annoyed with the count; however, this was not the normal irritation which she displayed when he would follow her about. No, this was greater far. She spoke so curtly and sounded so serious, that any average person would be deeply hurt by her words,

But Count Bastian was far from being that average person. And so, he continued. "Lady Lucia, I feel it not the proper time for jest. We are currently–"

"Does it seem like I jest, Count Bastian?"

"Oh, no my lady; I know you far too well to know that you are not the one to jest at moments as critical as these. However–"

"Count Bastian, sometimes saying too many words may cost you your life. At any rate, I do not wish to sit by and listen to your idle chatter; either be going, or I will take matters into my own hands."

He did as she ordered, and silenced himself as he slowly walked toward the door with nothing more to say. As he reached for the door knob, he withdrew his hand and turned back at her. "My lady," he began, looking at the back which she continued to show her. "My skills haven't yet faced any deficiency. I am well aware that, judging by your attire and your attitude towards me, that you are no longer my ally, but my enemy. I know that you are the one who murdered His Majesty; I saw you raise your sword with that murderous intent. However, I will not fight you. I know that you feel this is wrong."

He waited for some sort of response, but when he received none, he continued on. "Anyhow, I have left the queen outside to protect her from watching her husband die in front of her eyes by the sword of her own retainer. I must tend to her at once. Until we meet again, milady," he said with a bow. "By your leave." And like that, he was gone. He had left her alone, to sit with the corpse of the king.

She remained in her spot, making no movement aside from the tightening grip on the hilt of her sword, and the clenching of her fist. Her lips gave off no expression as her turquoise bangs shaded any look from her eyes. At the moment, she looked like nothing more than a emotionless Daein soldier, if not for the tears streaming down her face.

And so, she stood alone; a pitiful excuse of a heartless right hand to a heartless King of Daein.

A/N: Okay, as always, leave me a review and I'll be happy :D Well, since I've started naming my chapters now, I'm off to do that. Until next time...

-Nami-san625